destinations

You probably think that after you book your flights, your accommodations, and your rental car, you’ve got it made in the shade, right? Not so fast. Surprisingly, many people find laying out a daily itinerary for their trip the trickiest part!

While Maui has some of the best beaches you’ll find anywhere, it’s too far to go and too expensive to just lay around and work on your tan the whole time. Most visitors want to get out and really explore the island. But how do you know how much you can you do in a day? What are the “don’t miss” spots and what’s overrated? Do you need to do organized tours or can you see everything on your own? And how can you see it all and still have time to lay on the beach (because you need to come home with a tan, right?)???

Don’t panic! ; ) I’m going to break down everything you need to know so you can plan the perfect Maui itinerary!

Island Breakdown

First up, you need to know a little bit about how Maui is laid out. Maui is the second largest Hawaiian Island and it’s a lot bigger than most people think. It has a lot of unique geographical areas as well. It’s divided into five areas:

West Side: The west side is the largest (and oldest) resort area and includes the historic whaling town of Lahaina, the resort complex of Ka’anapali, and the planned golf resort community of Kapalua. This side has plenty of gorgeous beaches and so many shops and restaurants but can feel a little isolated from the rest of the island.

South Side: The south side is the driest and sunniest part of the island, and it’s home to Kihei (an area with a boat load of affordable condos), and Wailea (Maui’s most upscale resort area). This side has plenty of swimmable beaches and shops and restaurants, yet feels a bit quieter than the west side.

Central Maui: Most tourists don’t see much of central Maui besides the airport and Costco (both in Kahului) since until recently the valley has mostly been used for sugar cane production.

North Shore/Upcountry: Maui’s north shore and upcountry towns (Paia, Makawao, Haiku, and Kula) feel very “local” but are a still a big draw for tourists wanting to see the “real Maui.” These former plantation and ranch towns are full of restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries.

East Maui: Mostly jungles and waterfalls, east Maui is typically experienced via the Road to Hana. While some choose to stay overnight in Hana (or for a few days), it’s very “off the grid” and most visitors see east Maui on a day trip.

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

Ka’anapali is a resort area in West Maui that’s anchored by the ultra nice Ka’anapali beach. Originally developed in the 1960s, it remains the most popular place to stay and play on Maui. The old whaling village of Lahaina is nearby so you’ll be right in the middle of the majority of dining and accommodation options on this side of the island. It’s about a 45 minute drive from the airport (in Kahului) to the Ka’anapali resort area.

If you’ve just started researching where to stay on Maui and you’re stuck between whether south Maui (Wailea and Kihei) or west Maui (Ka’anapali/Lahaina/Kapalua) is better, read this post.

Where to Stay

Ka’anapali Beach

Westin Maui Resort & Spa: This is my number one hotel recommendation for families visiting Maui (especially if you want to be on the west side). It’s located right on Ka’anapali Beach (which is great for swimming and snorkeling) next door to the Whaler’s Village, which has a lot of shopping and dining options. There are also snorkel catamarans that pick up right on the beach. The resort has a huge “aquatic complex” with five pools (one for adults only) and a great waterslide. There are parrots and flamingos on the grounds and there’s a kid’s club as well. Pricing starts at $250/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Sheraton Maui: Most Sheraton resorts are pretty family friendly and this one is no different. It’s located on Ka’anapali Beach (just a few doors down from the Westin) right in front of Black Rock (one of Maui’s most popular snorkeling spots). It has a nice pool area and several dining options. You can also walk down the bike path to the Whaler’s Village for shopping and dining. Pricing starts at $240/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort: This recently renovated resort also sits on Ka’anapali Beach (the opposite end of the Sheraton) and has a lovely pool area and kids club. The real selling point of this resort though are the penguins! Seven African black-footed penguins have taken up residence in the hotel’s atrium lobby and they’re a sight to see! They have feedings every day. Stop by and check them out if you’re in the Ka’anapali area. Pricing starts at $250/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Marriott Ocean Club: The Marriott has a great location on Ka’anapali Beach that will keep you in the middle of the action while still staying at a familiar property (if you track points through Starwood or Marriot, that may be of interest to you). Click here to check pricing and availability.

Ka’anapali Beach Hotel: Located right on bustling Ka’anapali Beach, the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is the perfect place to stay on Maui’s west side. Located on the Ka’anapali beach walk nearby the Sheraton, Westin, and Hyatt, you’ll enjoy being in west Maui’s gorgeous resort area at a fraction of the price. This charming “old Hawaii” hotel starts at $149/night. Click here to check pricing for your dates.

The Whaler on Ka’anapali: This condo resort is right on the beach and has all of the amenities of the big resorts (nice pool area, gardens, beach rentals) at a fraction of the price with the added bonus of getting much more space. Check individual rentals through Airbnb (use this link for $40 off your first stay) or Vrbo.

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

Of all the amazing resort areas in Hawaii, Wailea – a resort community in south Maui – is by far my favorite.

If you’re never been to Maui before, chances are it’s exactly what you think Maui would be like – manicured and lush, quiet and luxurious with gorgeous beaches and world class resorts. It’s definitely not “local,” but it’s the stuff Hawaii vacation dreams are made of. Plus, unlike some resort communities on other islands, Wailea isn’t super isolated. It’s right next to Kihei, a more local town, albeit very touristy, and not a far drive to town (Kahului) or the north shore.

If you’ve just started researching where to stay on Maui and you’re stuck between whether south Maui (Wailea and Kihei) or west Maui (Ka’anapali and Kapalua) is better, read this post. But spoiler, south Maui (Wailea specifically) is my favorite.

Four Seasons Maui: The Four Seasons is the granddaddy of them all and definitely my #1 pick for a Maui honeymoon. The resort is super luxurious and it’s located in Wailea which is much quieter (and more upscale) than the west side. The spa, the pools, the restaurants, and the beach…they’re all phenomenal. The only problem with staying here is you probably won’t ever want to leave the resort. Pricing starts at $450/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Grand Wailea: This is my other number one hotel recommendation for families visiting Maui ; ) This is your best south side option. While this is a world class resort for anyone (gorgeous open air lobby, plenty of shops, dynamite spa, amazing dining, and one of the island’s best beaches), it’s especially great for families. The Grand Wailea has one of the best pool complexes on Maui (probably anywhere really). The nine different pools include tons of water slides (they actually just opened a new “lava slide”, a rope swing area, a rapid river, water elevator, hot tubs, a swim up bar, and an adults only pool. The Grand Wailea also has a kids club, a teen club, a gaming lounge, and a ton of cultural activities to participate in. Pricing starts at $350/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Fairmont Kea Lani: The Fairmont Kea Lani is the only resort on Maui that is exclusively suites so you’ll get quite a bit of space for a pretty penny. It’s located on beautiful Polo Beach, which is connected to Wailea beach and Ulua beach via a walkway. Click here to check pricing and availability and read my full review from my latest stay here.

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

When asked for my list of must dos on Maui, I can provide you with endless things to do, see, and places to eat. Maui is my favorite Hawaiian Island and easily the island I know best (I used to live there). But the list you really want is my “short” list. Not necessarily the list I throw out to every reader or traveler who asks for tips. This is my “if I only get one day on Maui, how would I spend it list.”

And at the top of that list has always been dinner at Mama’s Fish House. It’s easily the most recommendable special occasion restaurant on the island. Ask 100 people who’ve been to Maui where’s the one place you should go for dinner and 95 of them will say Mama’s. It’s not a “hidden gem” or an out of the way place that nobody knows about. But it’s the best.

From time to time, in my private Facebook group, the question gets asked “if it’s worth it.” Is it really worth the hype? Everybody is telling me to go, but is it actually a tourist trap? Or is there somewhere else that’s better for the money?

The majority of people always assure the question asker that yes, it is indeed worth it. It was the highlight of their trip, etc. But to my surprise, there’s always a handful of responders who say “yeah it was really nice, but not worth the money.” Or “We didn’t get the hype at all.”

So I figured since it’s easily the most popular special occasion spot on Maui, and it generates so much debate, it deserves its own blog post.

So on my last trip to Maui, I headed to Mama’s (oh the life of a travel blogger!) for the express purpose of doing a full review for you peeps. Full disclosure-although I’m reviewing my latest experience at Mama’s, I’ve been there over a half dozen times so I’ll be pulling form past experiences as well.

Mama’s Fish House is located on Maui’s north shore just past Paia so if you’re staying in the resort areas on Maui’s west or south sides, it’s going to be a bit of a drive.

Since it’s such a hot spot, you NEED a reservation. During busy times of the year (i.e. Christmas), it’s not uncommon for them to be completely booked up. So reserve early! To be on the safe side, I grabbed a reservation about three months in advance so I could get the exact time I wanted.

You’ll want to check the time of sunset during your trip, I recommend making your reservation about thirty minutes before so it’s still light when you arrive.

The restaurant has complimentary valet right out front which really sets the tone. You check in at the podium out front and then make your way down to the property. It’s right on the beach so you’ll get to witness those impressive north shore waves up close.

You’ve also got to get your picture taken. There’s a famous curved palm tree right out by the water. That’s the good spot.

We made our way to the restaurant to check in again (they know people get sidetracked taking pictures on the beach and don’t rush you) and were seated pretty quickly. If you thought the outside of the restaurant was spectacular, wait until you see the inside.

The only way to describe it is as a luxurious beach shack. I call this place “Gilligan’s Island meets fine dining.” The inside of the restaurant is layered and welcoming while still being impressive. Like maybe you’re eating in someone’s home or family restaurant. It feels very Hawaiian too. But not snobby. It’s not modern, trendy, or uppity at all.

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

Ko’olina is an oceanfront resort area on the leeward (west) side of Oahu. It’s a preplanned community (as in, much of the infrastructure was laid out before many of the resorts and restaurants moved in) so it has a bit of a curated and idyllic vibe that although is definitely not “local” Hawaii, is nevertheless heavenly for vacationers. It’s location on the leeward side means that the weather is almost always dry and sunny, and it’s home to some of the island’s loveliest beaches. There are four lagoons in the Ko’olina resort area that are ideal, protected places to swim.

Where to Stay

The Ko’olina resort isn’t that big so narrowing down a place to stay won’t be too difficult.

Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa: Aulani is the big star around these parts. While being “Disney,” it’s surprisingly the most “Hawaiian” resort I’ve come across in Hawaii. The resort has taken amazing steps to preserve and honor Hawaiian culture and heritage as well as share it with guests. It’s definitely THE place to stay if you have kids. It practically has its own waterpark, and the place has a very comfortable but upscale feel. There’s so much to do at this resort that you’ll constantly be torn between taking advantage of all of the activities and wanting to just lounge around the amazing beach and pools. Read this post for a more in depth review of Aulani. Check rates and read reviews here.

Four Seasons Oahu: If you’re looking for luxury, you’ll find it at the Four Seasons. Recently renovated and converted from a JW Marriott, this property is everything you’d expect from the Four Seasons. With an amazing spa, tennis facility, multiple pools, and yummy restaurants, you’ll be able to pass your vacation here in style. This Four Seasons is considered an entry level Four Seasons property (not quite as lavish and expansive as the resorts on Maui and the Big Island), so if you’d like to experience luxury at a lower price point, this is a great option. It’s usually on par price wise with Aulani. Check rates and read reviews here.

Marriott Ko’olina Beach Club: If you’re a points tracker or loyal to Marriott/Starwood, you’ll definitely want to check out this spot. This gorgeous resort has more pools than you can imagine and wonderful amenities if you’re looking for good bang for your buck. The resort has 1-3 bedroom villas with kitchens so you’ll have more room to spread out. The Marriott is also the only resort on lagoon #3 in Ko’olina (Aulani and the Four Seasons share lagoon #1), so it may seem a little quieter. Check rates and read reviews here.

Ko’olina Beach Villas Resort: If you’re looking for a spacious condo with resort like amenities, you’ll love this place. It’s located on Lagoon #2 and it’s a great option to save some money while still feeling like you’re living it up. You can book your unit through the resort or independently through owner via sites like Airbnb (use this link for $40 off your first stay) or Vrbo.

Vacation Rentals: There’s also a little neighborhood behind the shopping center that’s surrounded by the golf course where you can rent individual houses/villas through Airbnb and Vrbo.

Kapolei: If you’re looking for something even cheaper, expand your search to the nearby town of Kapolei. It’s inland a few miles but still close enough to pop over to the beach and you might find more economical accommodations if you’re just looking for someplace to set up a basecamp to explore the island from.

If you’re looking for the best luau in Hawaii, you can stop looking. This is it. Maybe a bold statement, but I’ve been to a lot of luaus in Hawaii and I know when I’m impressed. And I’m impressed.

Before attending this luau, I’d long heard that it was the best on Maui. The Old Lahaina Luau has the reputation for being the most authentic (but still crowd pleasing) luau in the islands, so I had pretty high expectations. Watch the video below to see what I thought…

Since this luau is the most popular one on Maui, it often books up months in advance, so I recommend making reservations as soon as you know your travel dates. I booked our tickets about 3 months in advance and we had great seats (your seating assignments are made in the order that tickets are reserved).

The Old Lahaina Luau grounds are right on Front Street in Lahaina (west Maui) and while there’s a tiny parking lot right by the entrance, there’s plenty of free, overflow parking across the street at the Lahaina Cannery Mall. We were told to arrive at 5:15 (depending on the daylight at different times of the year, it may be later) and although many people were streaming in, we got checked in and seated right away.

We were greeted with fresh flower leis and mai tais, which made a great first impression. I’ve been to other luaus where you get a shell lei (or have to pay to upgrade to a flower lei) so this was a nice touch. It’s also worth mentioning that the mai tai (which had plenty of rum in it) was served in an actual glass (imagine!) with a pineapple slice and orchid on top. Every other luau I’ve been to in Hawaii (including some of the “best”) usually just hands you some sort of fruit punch in a tiny plastic cup so this set the stage for a nice evening.

Next we were shown to our table. The tables are arranged in a tiered semi circle around the stage and everything overlooks the ocean. The bottom tiers feature traditional seating on cushions at low tables while the upper tiers have tables and chairs. You choose your seating category at the time of booking, but your spot within that category is assigned based on a first come first serve method (when you book) as I mentioned above.

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

Do I need to rent a car in Hawaii? I get asked this question a lot. Going to Hawaii can be such an expensive trip that many travelers look to cut costs wherever they can. And while there may be many destinations where you don’t need a rental car to get around, I don’t think Hawaii is one of them.

I cannot imagine going to any Hawaiian island without having a car so I can come and go as I please. Going to Hawaii is not like going to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Part of the Hawaii experience is getting out and actually exploring the island. While there are some tours or excursions that offer pick up, not having a car will severely limit what you’ll be able to see and do.

With the exception of Oahu, the public transportation options on each island are pretty much non-existent so don’t expect to be able to travel around by bus. And Uber/Lyft can get REALLY expensive (when it’s even available). The Hawaiian Islands are each pretty sizable, so you could end up exceeding the cost of a rental car with just one or two Uber rides.

What about Oahu?

Oahu has a pretty decent public bus system and it’s handy for getting around to the major tourist sites (Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, etc.), but it takes sooooo much longer than having your own car. Even with an itinerary that takes advantage of the bus routes, you’ll be able to do 2-3 times more each day with your own car. It also offers you the option of being more spontaneous.

For example, from Waikiki, you could take the bus out to Hanauma Bay and snorkel/beach bum for the day and then ride the bus back. But with a car, you can drive over to Hanauma Bay, stop at the Leonard’s truck for fresh malasadas on the way, pull over at an overlook for an amazing photo op, visit the Halona Blowhole after you’re done snorkeling, hike up to the Makapu’u Lighthouse (one of the best views on Oahu), and stop for happy hour at Kona Brewing Company on the way back to Waikiki. There’s no way you could do all of that one the bus.

I received discounted tickets to this luau, but of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

If there’s one question I get asked more often than most, it’s definitely about the best luau in Hawaii. So whenever a new luau opens up, I’m always eager to try it out. You know, for research ; ) Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, on Oahu debuted their luau (Ka Wa’a) a couple of years ago, but I wasn’t able to make it out to Ko’olina to experience it until recently. Since I was staying at the resort on my last trip to Oahu, I knew I had to make it a priority.

I reserved tickets a few months in advance (you usually get better seat assignments the earlier you book) for myself and the two friends I was traveling with and at the last minute I was able to snag a ticket my friend’s daughter Maya since they happened to be vacationing at Aulani at the same time as us and she’d never been to a luau.

And I must say, I’m soooo glad Maya got to come to the luau with me because it is DEFINITELY geared towards kids.

Before I get on with the details, check out this video of our evening at Ka Wa’a:

We arrived at the luau grounds about 5PM and got checked in. The ladies got a shell lei, the gentlemen kukui nuts, and Maya had the choice between a shell lei or a necklace with Maui’s fishhook (the first of surprisingly only a few “Disney” touches throughout the evening. If you’re not familiar, Maui’s fishhook is a big element in the movie Moana). She chose the necklace.

Next we were offered drinks before we were shown to our table. There was a special fruit punch (with straw and lid) for the kids, and some sort of blue coconut flavored alcoholic beverage for the adults. I wasn’t a fan, but I heard that the drinks from the bar were much better (the night got away from me and I didn’t even get to try one!).